See which BREC millages need to be renewed in November

The public will decide in November whether to renew two millages that help keep Baton Rouge’s parks system afloat.

BREC Superintendent Corey Wilson explained the voting points as he addressed the Baton Rouge Press Club on Monday.

One millage is 6.2 mills for capital improvements renewed every 10 years. The other is 3,523 mills for the Imagine Your Parks tax, which started in 2004 and is renewed every twenty years. He says these two represent about 65% of BREC’s budget. Total production for BREC is 14,463 factories, which Wilson estimates amounts to $78 million.

“The Imagine Your Parks tax has completely changed our parks system,” Wilson said. “The most important thing to share with family, friends and neighbors is that taxes remain the same.”

Nearly 80% of the system’s budget comes from property taxes. Ten percent comes from partnerships and grants, and the remaining 10% comes from self-generated income. Self-generated revenue includes $3 million from the Baton Rouge Zoo, $4 million from recreation and $5 million from golf activities.

Wilson says BREC has the authority to expand to 18 factories, but will not increase taxes at this time.

“We are working on our 10-year plan,” Wilson added. “One of the wonderful things about the 10-year plan is that if we are fortunate enough to have both taxes renewed, we will be able to offer new, improved and exciting facilities, programs and services.”

Wilson also mentioned current BREC projects, including phase one of the Baton Rouge Zoo renovation, the Ped/Bike master plan and projects, and renovations of Howell Community Park and the Frenchtown Conservation Area Nature Center.

Wilson says phase one of the zoo’s renovations will cost approximately $55 million and will be completed soon. The outcome of the November elections could influence the second phase of renovations.

“I would imagine that if we are successful with the election, some of that funding will go toward phase two of the zoo,” Wilson said. “We’re not sure how much it will be. We have a lot of things to take care of, and the zoo is one of them.”

BREC is working on sponsorship and other means to finance the project. Wilson says the Louisiana Watershed Initiative is funding part of phase two, which will widen and deepen the lake at Greenwood Community Park. It’s an approximately $4 million project.

“For phase two of the zoo, our intention is to bring something new to the zoo every three to five years,” Wilson said. “We have to keep it fresh so people keep coming back.”

BREC won the national gold medal for excellent park and recreation management in 2022. This was the third time BREC has received the award and the first time since 1991. Park systems that win must wait five years before they can compete for the award again.